Closed body structure for automobiles



J. LEDWINKA CLOSED BODY STRUCTURE Fox AUTOMOBILES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 6,. 1919 Dec. 13, 1927. 1,652,947 J. LEDWINKA CLOSED BODY STRUCTURE FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Nov. 6, 1919 S-SheetS-Shee't '2" ,ATTORNEY Dec. 13, 192 7.

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 6, 1919 Dec. 13, 1927.

J. LEDWINKA CLOSED BODY STRUCTURE FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed NOV. 6, 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 1 r 1 In VIII! Dec. 13, 1927.

J. LEDWINKA CLOSED BODY STRUCTURE FOR AUTOMOBILES med Nov.

6, 1919 5 Sheets-Shgget -5 INVE TOR %W @Zbawwfi ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 13, 192?.

JOSEPH LEDWINKA, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO EDWARD G. BUDD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A COBr- PORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CLOSED BODY STRUCTO'RE FOR AUTOMOBILES. I

Application filed November 6, 1919. Serial No. 336,058.

This invention relates to closed body structures for automobiles.

The object of the invention is to provide a sheet steel closedbody structure for automobiles which is simple in construction, which can be quickly and rapidly assembled, which isstrong and durable, and efiiciently braced against the stressesand strains to which such bodies are subjected in use, and

which is economical to manufacture.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter. Referring to the accompanying drawings,- V

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the rear portion of a closed body structure em-- bodying the principles of my invention.

Fig. 2 'is a similar view of the front portion of the body. 1 a

Fig. 3 is a view in rear elevation of the same, parts broken'out to disclose the interior arrangement.

Fig. 4 is a view .in vertical central longitudina'l section of the rear portion of the,

body on the line 1, 4, Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5, 5, Fig. 3, looking in the'di-rection of the arrows.

detail views on the lines .6, 6; 7, 7;, and 8, 8; Fig. 2', showing the corner post structure,

for the front door at the various respective points.

Fig. 9 is a broken detail view in section of the center post on the line 9, 9, Fig.2.

' Figs. 10 and 11 are respectively broken detail views in section on the lines 10, 10; and 11-, 11; Fig. 1,.through the rear door post. I

Fig. 12 is a view in side elevation, parts Eroken off, showing the cowl portion of the ody. i

Fig. 13 is a broken detail view in vertical section on the line 13, 13, Fig.12 through the threshold strip and associated parts of the front door opening.

Fig. 14 is a view in vertical section through a door.

Fig. 15 is a broken detail view in section on the line 15, 15, Fig. 1.

Fig. 16 is a broken detail view in section onthe line 16, 16, Fi 1.

Fig. 17 is a. broken detail view in vertical section on theline 17, '17, Fig. 1.

Fig. 18 is i a sectional view similar to Fig. 16.

The same part is designated by the same reference numeral wherever it occurs body type by reason of the stresses and strains to which such bodies are subjected in use; Modern practice requires not only stunplicity in the structure of closed bodies for cars well as economy in manufacture. 'VVhere it is possible to employ sheet steel in the manufacture of closed bodies greater strength and durability are secured and a more rugged structure produced, but to enable the employment of sheet steel stampings in the manufacture of such bodies it is necessary to provide efficient means for bracing and strengthening the structure at the points where strains are imposed thereon. It is also desirable and necessary to provide a structure of the character referred to which canbe quickly and easily assembled and the ut strength and rigidity therein as parts secured together so as to form one in I tegral structure. It ,is among the special purposes of my resent invention to provide a closed car b0 y constructed of sheet steel 'stampings which are arranged and disposed front portion to receive the usual hinged door therefor, the door'o enings in the front and rear portions of the ody being separated by a central door post indicated generally at 23-,

loo.

. Figs. 2 and 9, the front door indicated generally at 24, Figs. 6 and 7, being hinged to a front door'postfindicat (1 generally at 25,-. Figs. 2, 6, 7, and 8. The rear door indi--.

' steel side stampings 28, 29, see Fig. 17, which areshown as'separate pieces with their adjacent edges lapped upon each other as in-' dicated at and fastened together by electrically welding same or otherwlse, but it is obvious that this stamping may be. made in one piece and suitably pressed out into the i shape and contour to be given to the ton? neau. The portions 28, 29, are offset from each other on their lateral side portions to form the recess 31 constituting the usual wheel house. The lower part of the portion 43, see Figli" t 28 of the tonneau panel is likewise offset inwardly as indicated at 32 to form a shoulder 33 upon which rests the seat panel 34. The

extreme lower edge of the tonneau panel 28 is formed with a flange 35 which fits to and is electrically weldedv or otherwise secured to the longitudinally extending sill member 36. The sill member 36 likewise forms a support for the flooring panel 37. The side edges of the seat panel 34 rest upon the shoulders 33. The rear edge of theseat member 39 which is vertically disposed on the interior surface of the tonneau panel.

The front edge of the seat panel is supported upon a shoulder 40 formed on a transversely.

extending vertically disposed panel 41 suitablysecured to'an upturned flange 42 on the floor panel The upper edge of the heel board or plate '41 is upturned as indicated at form a retaining edge for the seat cus an: when supported upon the seat.

The upper' par't of the tonneau is formed with a window 'opening indicated at 44, Figs.

1 and 5, in which is disposed a Window 45.

The window pane in this structure is received at its upper, lower and side edges in grooves or channels formed in the angle which are pressed therein to receive the panepieces or stampings 46 suitably positioned uponv window frame members 47. These stampings are formed with flanges 48 which fit over inturned flanges 49 of the stampings 50 which form the upper walls of the tonneau of the enclosed body, and which likewise form the roof panel. The stampings 46v are formed with central channels edges of the window and these channels fit into rabbets formed in the frame members 47. thusforining a 'verysimple and substantial window structure. The panel 50 at its lower edge is formed with an inturned flange 51 which fits against a'correspondin'gflange 52 formed at the upper edge of the body panel or portion 29. -In order to suitably reinforcetheronnection of these two flanges 51 and 52 and to 'strengthen the joint between them a reinforcing member or bar 53 is applied to these flanges, and the flanges and reinforcing bar 53 are secured together than is employed for the panel portion 28 Sometimes and. ordinarily .theroof portionof the panel 50 maybe made in separate sections 50, 54, secured together byoverlapping flanges 55, 56, offset fromlthe planes of the bodies of said panels as shown in Fig. 5 and vsuitably secured together. This arrangement makes a channel formationin the roof and upper 'side' portions of the panels which add strength and rigidity to this Structure. also afford means for supporting an interior channel member .57 to which the interior trim and upholstery-may be attached. This channel member 57 is suspended in the upper portion of the tonneau by means of angles or straps 58 which are secured to the channel formed by the flanges 55, 56, by means of blocks 59 placed in the channel and riveted or otherwise. connected through The channels thus formed the flanges 55,56 to the upper ends of the angles 58. The lower ends of the angles- 58 fit in and are suitably secured to the channel member 57. In order to prevent unnecessary rattle and squeaking the channel member 57 is suspended from the roof of the tonneau and is carried out of contact with the side walls of the tonneau body, a space being left between the channel member 57 and said side wall, as indicated at 60. Along its side edges the roof panel 50, above the windowopening 44 and the door openings, is formed with an outwardly extending flange 61 which is fitted in and secured to a channel stamping 62 which thus forms a water trough to prevent the dripping from the roof from falling. over the window or the door, and attached to the interior flange of the channel stamping 62 is another channel stamping 63 which may carrya wooden or other block or bar 64 forllu convenience in attaching the interior trim.

line of the body and formed with flanges 66 at their vertical and bottom edges to abut against suitable shoulders formed in the tion, to the outer surface of one flange ofdoor posts to which said doors are hinged and the central door post disposed between the adjacent edges of the front and rear doors and the door sill'and threshold structure, respectively. These doors, if desired, and as usual, carry glass windows 65- in their upper portions, the construction of which windows may, if desired, follow the construction and mounting of the window 45 abovedescribed. The rear door 26 is hinged to a door post-formed along the vertical edge of the rear or tonneau portion of the body and indicated generally by reference numeral 27, Figs. 1 and '11. This post consists' of stampings 67, 68 and 69, the latter being of substantially U-shape in cross secwhich the stamping 67 is. applied, and to the outer surface of the other flange of which the stamping 68 is applied, these stampings 67 and 68 being shaped to the desired form I and configuration and suitably secured together and to the stamping 69 by welding or. otherwise. A cap stamping 70 1s applied to one vertical side of thepost and is made removable, being retained place by removable bolts 71, and this cover plate stamping is formed with a flange portion 72 which cooperates'w-ith. an oflset portion 73, see Figs. 10 and 11, to form'a channel way to receive the window or the frame thereof. By making the cap removable the insertion and removal of the window is facilitated.

On the portiorr ofthe post 27 opposite that of the'location of the window 45 the post stamping member 67 is formed with a shoulder 74 to form an abutment for the vertical flange 66 along the vertical rear edge of the door 26 and at its inner portion the member 67 is formed'with a flange 75 to receive the portion 76 of the edge of the door.

Thus this portion of the post stamping 67 is what may betermed a double Z section taking into account the front wall and the shoulder 74. In the lower portion of the post, below window 45, stamping 67 has a simple Z section, shown clearly in Figure 10, and in this case flange 66 of the door is accommodated in the. angle formed between :the outer armof the Z and the inturned flangeof the paneling 29.-

- The central post23 between the front and rear doorways is formedof a stamping 77 suitably pressed into shape to form the shoulders 78, 79, 80 and 81 to receive'respectively the vertical edge flanges 66and portions 82, 83, of the front and' rear doors 24, 26 respectively. To thisend the stamping '77 is formed into generallychannel forma tion. The inner open edge of the channel into whichthe stam ing 77 is formed-is closed by a remova 1e cover imemb'er 84 V "which is connecteclb'y removable"bo1ts 85 to struts'or spiders 86 secured within the chan nel member 77. This-cover plate stamping 84 conceals the interior structure of a. channel post and forms a neat finish there for. The cover plate 84 is formed with edge flanges 87 which fit within and are secured to the inner surfaces of the edge portions of the channel 0st 77, the plates 84 being extended beyond the edges of the channel post 77 all as clearly shown in Fig. 9.

The front door 24 is hinged to a door post indicated genera'lly at 25, Figs. 2, 6, 7 and 8.

-At the points above the cowl 22 the front door post 25 is formed of a stamping 88 which is pressed into channel formation with a shoulder 89 to receive the adjacent edge flange 66 of the door 24'. "{Upon this channel post are mounted the standards 89 which support the front or windshield flange 90 in which the window 91 is mounted. Lower down on this-post the cowl panel 22 is attached as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

At the doorways I providea door sill and threshold structure which is also simple and easily assembled and wherein the parts are so connected as to efliciently brace each other. I have shown such an arrangement in Figs.

12 and 13 wherein a stamping 92 is secured to the frame sill 36 and is pressed upwardly as at 93 to conform to the vertical curvature of .the body. At its upper outer edge the stamping 92 is bent inwardlyto form a shoulder as at 94 to form an abutment for the edge flange 66 at the bottom edge of the door.

Engaging over the laterally extending flange 95 above the shoulder 94 of stamping 92 is a channel shaped stamping 96 which forms old of the door.. Over this channel member 96 is the threshold strip proper 97 which completesthe finish of the parts. The channel 96 is formed at its inner edge with a flange 98 upon which rests the floor board 99..

The various stampings and elements may be stamped out in quantities and in standard and easily, thus greatly reducing the time required to assemble and complete bodies of .the character set forth, and when assembled and unitedas above describedtheycontribute to the production of a strong;frugged' body' structure in which the various members lieinforce and brace each other; The invention; disclosed herein is claimed broadly in my pending application for Letters Patent for improvements. in automobile bodies, Serial .sizes and sha, es and may be assembled and secured toget er in proper relation quickly No. 504,927, filed October 3, 1921, to which matter is claimed in said pending applica' 100 a finish and a reinforcing strip at the threshmy own invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,'-

1. In a sheet metalclosed body structure for automobiles, sheet steel stampings forming the sides and roof of the body, a trim engaging member, and means to suspend said member from the roof of the body.

2. In a sheet metal closed body structure for automobiles, sheet steel stampings form ing the sides and roof of the body, a'trim engaging member, hangers to carry and sup port said member out of contact withthe Walls of the body, said hangers being suspended from the body roof. I

3. In a sheet metal closedbody structure forautomobiles, sheet steel stamnings forming the sides and roof of the body, a channelmember arranged inside the body near the top thereof, and means to suspend said member from the body roof.

4. In a sheet metal closed body structure for automobiles, sheet steel stampings forming the sides and roof of thebody, said st-ampings having ofl-set engaging flanges at their meeting edges, forming a depression,

a filler strip seated in said depression, a'

channel member disposed inside the body and suspending hangers for said member,;sa-id hangers being supported from said strip. 1

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand on this 23rd day of October A. D.,

JOSEPH LEDWINKA 

